It all started when Dobby came to Hogwarts seeking a position. During his meeting with Dumbledore in the Head's office he spotted a wonderful hat sitting on a shelf appearing to be in a halo of light from the window behind it. Dobby who had so recently become quite obsessed with clothing of all sorts was awestruck. Such a magnificent hat. He was quite confused when Dumbledore sent him to straighten the office during the opening feast the following year in an attempt to keep the elf from popping into the Great Hall to visit Harry Potter. Though Dobby had no idea that was why he was sent and would have been notified if he had. He might be a free elf but he was still a good house elf. He knew better than to interrupt something like the back to school feast. Dobby had a job to do and he would do it before anything else which was why he was so upset when he got to the office and the Hat was missing. He searched everywhere and was becoming quite concerned and began squeaking worriedly as he ran around the room in circles looking for it. Dumbledore was a kind wizard but if the headmaster thought that Dobby had misplaced the hat or taken it during his cleaning duties he would be sacked.

The elf was near tears when the Hat suddenly zoomed into the room and settled on the shelf. He yelled when he saw it, "Where was you Hat? Hatses don't just appear, hatses is always where they is supposed to be unless their owner moves them."

"I was sent back to my shelf after I sorted all of the new first years silly elf."

Dobby reeled and nearly fainted. "You can talk?"

If the Hat had eyeballs they would have been rolling, "Well obviously," it drawled.

"Oh oh oh, Mr. Hat sir. Dobby loves hats, and socks, and scarves, and -"

"Do stop listing items of clothing. I quite understand what you mean."

"Oh Mr. Hat sir, will you be Dobby's friend. Dobby would be honored to have a talking hat as a friend."

The hat thought for a bit, it did get rather lonely in here, the portraits only ever talked to each other or the current headmaster. No one ever talked to him unless it was a student during the Sorting. He had all year to come up with a new song but honestly that took a month maybe two, still friends with an elf?

"Mr. Hat you can think about it Dobby will come talk to you again. Dobby must go back to work right now. Dobby must be sure the food is all cleaned up and put away then Dobby must clean up the Common Rooms after the students get to bed. Good night Mr. Hat. Dobby was so happy to meet you." With that the elf was gone before the hat could respond. It thought for a while about having a friend and the students Sorted tonight, wondering if it has sorted them all correctly before settling in and beginning work on next year's song.

A/N so a new story, for some reason I'm a bit stuck on my others but this came to mind and begged to be written, it's mostly drabbles and so far I have four of them, we'll see how far it goes. It all came from a discussion with HippogriffRider77 and her mom my longtime BFF about the people who ship Dobby and the Hat. NO worries this is NOT where that is going, that idea squicks me out but I couldn't get past the thought that Dobby would be totally fascinated with the Hat and want to be friends, so here it starts. Hope you enjoyed it. No promises on when I'll update but I'll do my best to keep them coming, short chapters every now and then. Reviews are always welcome and are most definitely inspiring so feel free to leave one.